Lavandula plant named &#39;STRAWBERRY RUFFLES&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Lavandula  plant named ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ that is characterized by early and repeat flowering, dense plant habit, short peduncle length, and fragrant flower spikes with medium length sterile bracts that are mid-pink in color. In combination these traits set ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Lavandula  known to the inventor.

GENUS

LAVANDULA

SPECIES

stoechas

DENOMINATION

‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of lavenderknown botanically as Lavandula stoechas and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’.

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(f)of the application for a grant of Australian Plant Breeders Rights whichwas filed for the instant plant variety on Aug. 21, 2009 and accepted bythe Australian Plant Breeders Rights Office on Nov. 9, 2009 withapplication number 2009/202.

This application is co-pending with the application for the inventor'svariety of Lavandula stoechas known as ‘SWEETBERRY RUFFLES’. ‘STRAWBERRYRUFFLES’ and ‘SWEETBERRY RUFFLES’ arose from the same cross-pollinationas described herein.

‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ is one individual selection in the Australianlavender ‘Ruffles Series’ that resulted from a formal breeding program.The breeding program was established in November 2001 and conducted bythe inventor at the inventor's nursery in Wonga Park, Victoria,Australia. The aim of the breeding program is to develop an ongoingseries of Lavandula stoechas varieties which are similar in plant formand habit but which bear showy and distinctly different sterile bractswhich are the most prominent commercial feature of the species. Thespecies Lavandula stoechas is commonly known as Spanish lavender.

The inventor selected ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ in 2007 based on acombination of repeat flowering, dense plant habit, mid-pink sterilebract color, mauve fertile flower color and short peduncle length.

‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ is a selection arising from the controlledcross-pollination of Lavandula stoechas ‘Winter Lace’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 18,280) as the female parent, and Lavandula stoechas ‘BoysenberryRuffles (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,256) as the male parent.Cross-pollination of the parent plants took place in Wonga Park,Victoria, Australia in November 2005. From this cross the F1 generationwas raised in February 2006 and grown to flowering maturity in September2006. One flowering seedling, to be named ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ wasisolated in 2006 and planted in a 14 cm container for second yearflowering in 2007 at which time ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ was confirmed forfuture commercialization.

‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ is a perennial suitable for use in containers andin the landscape. Cultural requirements include full sun, adequate butnot excess water, and well-draining soil. Mature height is 60 cm. andmature width is 80 cm.

The traits that distinguish ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ from the female parent‘Winter Lace’ are sterile bract color and plant size at maturity. Thesterile bracts of ‘Winter Lace’ are mauve in color whereas the sterilebracts of ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ are mid pink in color. A mature plant of‘Winter Lace’ is 70 cm in height whereas the mature height of‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ is 60 cm.

The traits that distinguish ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ from the male parent‘Boysenberry Ruffles’ are length of flower spike and color of sterilebracts. The flower spike of ‘Boysenberry Ruffles’ is up to 1 cm shorterthan the flower spike of ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’. The sterile bracts of‘Boysenberry Ruffles’ are light pink in color whereas the sterile bractsof ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ are mid pink in color.

The inventor has observed that the varieties of Lavender stoechas thatmost closely resemble ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ are the inventor's varieties‘Mulberry Ruffles’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,295) and ‘Sweetberry Ruffles’(co-pending with the instant application).

The traits that distinguish ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ from ‘Mulberry Ruffles’are sterile bract color and fertile flower corolla color. The sterilebracts of ‘Mulberry Ruffles’ are dark pink in color whereas the sterilebracts of ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ are mid pink in color. The corolla of thefertile flowers of ‘Mulberry Ruffles’ is dark pink in color whereas thecorolla of the fertile flowers of ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ is mid pink incolor.

The traits that distinguish ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ from ‘SweetberryRuffles’ are color and length of the sterile bracts. The sterile bractsof ‘Sweetberry Ruffles’ are light pink in color whereas the sterilebracts of ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ are mid pink in color. The sterile bractsof ‘Sweetberry Ruffles’ are approximately 5 mm longer than the sterilebracts of ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’.

‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ was first asexually propagated by the inventor in2007. Asexual propagation was accomplished at the inventor's nursery inAustralia, and the method utilized was tip cuttings. Since that time‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ has been determined stable, and reproduces true totype in successive generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of the new Lavandula cultivar named‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’. These traits in combination distinguish‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ from all other existing varieties of Lavandulaknown to the inventor. ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ has not been tested underall possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed withvariations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, withouthowever, any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ exhibits dense plant habit.    -   2. ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ exhibits scented flower spikes which        bear sterile bracts that are medium in length and mid-pink in        color, and fertile flowers which are mauve in color.    -   3. ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ exhibits early and repeat flowering.    -   4. ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ exhibits fragrant gray-green foliage.    -   5. Cultural requirements for ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ are full sun,        adequate but not excess water and well-draining soil.    -   6. ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ exhibits short peduncle length.    -   7. ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ is 60 cm in height and 80 cm. in width        at maturity.    -   8. ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ is hardy to USDA Zone 8.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the overall appearance of the newLavandula cultivar named ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ showing the colors as trueas it is reasonably possible to obtain in color reproductions of thistype.

Color in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actualcolor of the new Lavandula variety named ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’.

The drawings were made of 1 year old plants which have been grown out ofdoors in Victoria, Australia.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 depicts a single plant in full bloom andgrowing in a 15 cm diameter container.

The drawing labeled FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the flower spike.

Both drawings were made using conventional techniques and although theleaf and flower colors may appear different from the actual colors dueto light reflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventionalphotography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of the Lavandulacultivar named ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’. Data was collected in SantaBarbara, Calif. from 1 year old plants which have been grown out ofdoors. Color determinations are made in accordance with The 2007 RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart of London, England, except wheregeneral color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Thegrowing requirements are similar to the species.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical classification.—Lavandula stoechas ‘STRAWBERRY            RUFFLES’.        -   Family.—Lamiaceae.        -   Genus.—LAVANDULA.        -   Species.—stoechas.        -   Variety denomination.—‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’.        -   Common name.—Lavender.-   Plant:    -   -   Habit.—Dense.        -   Height (at maturity).—60 cm.        -   Width (at maturity).—80 cm.        -   Life cycle.—Perennial.        -   Use.—Ornamental for container or landscape.        -   Vigour.—Moderate.        -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 8.        -   Propagation.—Tip and stem cuttings.        -   Root system.—Fibrous.        -   Cultural requirements.—Full sun, adequate but not excess            water, and well-draining soil.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—4-6 weeks.        -   Time to produce a 10 cm. container plant in bloom.—20 weeks.        -   Seasonal interest.—Flower spikes in spring and summer.-   Parentage: Lavandula stoechas ‘STRAWBERRY RUFFLES’ is a selection    that resulted from controlled cross-pollination of the following    parents:    -   -   Female parent plant.—Lavandula stoechas ‘Winter Lace’.        -   Male parent plant.—Lavandula stoechas ‘Boysenberry Ruffles’.-   Disease and insect resistance: Minimal disease and insect    susceptibility with occasional aphids on new growth.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching.—Upright.        -   Stem shape.—Quadrangular.        -   Stem surface.—Pubescent.        -   Pubescence color.—156D.        -   Stem color.—Juvenile or soft new growth 143D; becoming 178C            when semi-ripe and 166C towards the base.        -   Stem length.—Range of 8 cm to 10 cm.        -   Stem width.—3 mm.        -   Stem fragrance.—Resinous scent.        -   Internode length.—Range of 0.50 cm. to 1.50 cm.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Combination of whorled and opposite.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf shape.—Elongated oblong.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire.        -   Leaf apex.—Apiculate and acute individually present.        -   Leaf base.—Truncate.        -   Leaf attachment.—Sessile.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—138C.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—138B.        -   Leaf surface (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Pubescent.        -   Color of hairs.—156D.        -   Venation.—Reticulate.        -   Vein color (adaxial surface).—138c.        -   Vein color (abaxial surface).—138B.        -   Leaf length.—Range of 1.75 cm. to 4 cm.        -   Leaf width.—Range of 0.20 cm. to 0.70 cm.        -   Leaf fragrance.—Resinous scent.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Fragrance.—Resinous scent.        -   Blooming period.—April through August.        -   Inflorescence type.—Spike bearing sterile bracts above.        -   Spike length.—4.0-4.5 cm.        -   Spike diameter.—2.0 cm.        -   Spike shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Inflorescent quantity.—Range of 65-70 per container plant.        -   Peduncle length.—4.20 cm.        -   Peduncle width.—2 mm.        -   Peduncle shape.—Quadrangular.        -   Peduncle color.—N144D.        -   Peduncle surface.—Tomentose.        -   Bud dimensions.—3 mm in length and 1.50 mm in width.        -   Bud shape.—Ovoid.        -   Bud color.—146B.        -   Bud surface.—Lanate.        -   Bud apex.—Acute.-   Flowers (fertile bracts):    -   -   Number.—80-100 on an individual spike.        -   Corolla color.—64B.        -   Corolla shape.—Salverform.        -   Corolla depth.—7 mm.        -   Corolla diameter.—5 mm.        -   Corolla tube depth.—4 mm.        -   Corolla tube diameter.—1.50 mm.        -   Petals.—Four in number.        -   Petals fused or unfused.—Basally fused.        -   Petal shape.—Orbicular.        -   Petal length.—1.50 mm.        -   Petal width.—1.50 mm.        -   Petal apex.—Obtuse and emarginated petal apices individually            observed on an individual corolla.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.        -   Petal surfaces (adaxial and abaxial).—Glabrous.        -   Petal color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—64B.        -   Calyx color.—137A.        -   Calyx shape.—Tubular.        -   Calyx surface.—Lanate.        -   Calyx length.—5 mm.        -   Calyx width.—2 mm.        -   Sepals.—Four in number.        -   Sepals fused or unfused.—Fused along three quarters of the            length.        -   Sepal apex.—Acute.-   Flowers (Sterile bracts):    -   -   Sterile bracts.—Range of 4-5 per inflorescence.        -   Sterile bract form.—Petaloid.        -   Sterile bract appearance.—Irridescent.        -   Sterile bract arrangement.—Whorled.        -   Sterile bract surfaces (abaxial and adaxial).—Smooth, matte.        -   Sterile bract shape.—Broadly oblanceolate.        -   Sterile bract margin.—Entire.        -   Sterile bract length.—Average 2.0 cm.        -   Sterile bract width.—From a maximum of 8 mm (at one-third of            the length from the base) tapering to 3 mm close to the            apex.        -   Sterile bract apex.—Broadly acute.        -   Sterile bract base.—Aequilateral.        -   Sterile bract color (abaxial and adaxial surfaces).—Ranges            from 62D to 63D except for veins and base, both 64B.        -   Vein pattern.—Reticulate.        -   Vein color (abaxial and adaxial surfaces).—64B.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Four in number.        -   Stamen form.—Adnate to ventral surface of corolla tube.        -   Stamen color.—155C.        -   Stamen length.—5 mm.        -   Anther.—Four.        -   Anther color.—161A.        -   Pollen color.—161C.        -   Pollen quantity.—Moderate.        -   Pistil.—One.        -   Pistil length.—3 mm.        -   Pistil color.—155B.        -   Stigma height.—Less than 0.50 mm.        -   Stigma surface.—Glossy.        -   Stigma shape.—Orbicular.        -   Stigma color.—79A.        -   Ovary dimensions.—Less than 0.50 mm.        -   Ovary shape.—Globose.        -   Ovary color.—138A.        -   Ovary position.—Superior.-   Seed: No seed has been observed to date.

1. A new and distinct variety of Lavandula plant named ‘STRAWBERRYRUFFLES’ as described and illustrated herein.